Active Shooter Drill Brings Police, Fire, School Staff Together in Summit

By: Carol McGowan

ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL BRINGS POLICE, FIRE, SCHOOL STAFF TOGETHER IN SUMMIT

School District 104 and emergency responders from three agencies conducted a joint training exercise at Graves Elementary School on June 12, running two active shooter drills designed to test coordination and response procedures.

The district notified residents in advance through posted signs, door notices, and letters to nearby homes.

Randy Braverman, School Safety and Threat Assessment Specialist for West40—which serves 38 school districts and three cooperatives in West Cook County—organized the exercise. Braverman, a former police officer and 25-year security director, said the larger-scale drill built on a smaller training the district had conducted previously.

“We want to make sure our plans work,” Braverman said. “We make sure the police and fire departments know each other’s response.”

The Summit Police Department, Summit Fire Department, and Bedford Park Police Department participated alongside school staff and role players acting as shooters and victims.

Braverman said the multi-agency approach strengthens emergency response across the community. “When more are involved, they know how to respond with each other,” he said. “It helps everyone in the town.”

He noted that West40 has conducted at least 20 similar drills in the area, though such exercises require extensive planning. “You can’t just jump into a full scale drill,” Braverman said. “There’s a lot of planning to get to this point. We give exercises first, so they all practice before a full scale drill.”

Superintendent: Drills Ensure Best Practices

School District 104 Superintendent Dr. David Negron said the training reinforces emergency protocols. “It is important to conduct emergency drills to ensure that we are implementing the best practices and react accordingly to any situation as best as possible,” Negron said. “It is also important to conduct these drills with our emergency responders so that they are aware of our district protocols and procedures.”

The Summit Police Department said the exercise allowed officers to practice response skills in a controlled setting and improved coordination between police and fire personnel on medical response during emergencies.

“Constant communication and collaboration are essential in providing a safe environment for our schools. We are committed to continuing our efforts to ensure the well-being of our community. Together, we can make a difference in keeping our schools safe,” the department said in a statement.